Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist (calcium ion antagonist or slow-channel blocker) that inhibits the transmembrane influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle. Experimental data suggest that amlodipine binds to both dihydropyridine and nondihydropyridine binding sites. The contractile processes of cardiac muscle and vascular smooth muscle are dependent upon the movement of extracellular calcium ions into these cells through specific ion channels. Amlodipine inhibits calcium ion influx across cell membranes selectively, with a greater effect on vascular mooth muscle cells than on cardiac muscle cells. Amlodipine is indicated for the treatment of hypertension and coronary artery disease.

Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist (calcium ion antagonist or slow-channel blocker) that inhibits the transmembrane influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle. Experimental data suggest that amlodipine binds to both dihydropyridine and nondihydropyridine binding sites. The contractile processes of cardiac muscle and vascular smooth muscle are dependent upon the movement of extracellular calcium ions into these cells through specific ion channels. Amlodipine inhibits calcium ion influx across cell membranes selectively, with a greater effect on vascular mooth muscle cells than on cardiac muscle cells. Amlodipine is indicated for the treatment of hypertension and coronary artery disease.

Diltiazem is a nondihydropyridines calcium channel blocker used in the treatment of hypertension, angina pectoris, and some types of arrhythmia. Diltiazem produces its antihypertensive effect primarily by relaxation of vascular smooth muscle and the resultant decrease in peripheral vascular resistance.

Diltiazem is a nondihydropyridines calcium channel blocker used in the treatment of hypertension, angina pectoris, and some types of arrhythmia. Diltiazem produces its antihypertensive effect primarily by relaxation of vascular smooth muscle and the resultant decrease in peripheral vascular resistance.

Nifedipine has been formulated as both a long- and short-acting 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. Nifedipine is sold under the brand names Adalat and Procardia among others. Nifedipine decreases arterial smooth muscle contractility and subsequent vasoconstriction by inhibiting the influx of calcium ions through L-type calcium channels. Calcium ions entering the cell through these channels bind to calmodulin. Calcium-bound calmodulin then binds to and activates myosin light chain kinase (MLCK). Activated MLCK catalyzes the phosphorylation of the regulatory light chain subunit of myosin, a key step in muscle contraction. Signal amplification is achieved by calcium-induced calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum through ryanodine receptors. Inhibition of the initial influx of calcium inhibits the contractile processes of smooth muscle cells, causing dilation of the coronary and systemic arteries, increased oxygen delivery to the myocardial tissue, decreased total peripheral resistance, decreased systemic blood pressure, and decreased afterload. The vasodilatory effects of nifedipine result in an overall decrease in blood pressure. Nifedipine is used for the management of vasospastic angina, chronic stable angina, hypertension, and Raynaud's phenomenon. May be used as a first line agent for left ventricular hypertrophy and isolated systolic hypertension (long-acting agents).

Verapamil is a FDA approved drug used to treat high blood pressure and to control chest pain. Verapamil is an L-type calcium channel blocker that also has antiarrythmic activity. The R-enantiomer is more effective at reducing blood pressure compared to the S-enantiomer. However, the S-enantiomer is 20 times more potent than the R-enantiomer at prolonging the PR interval in treating arrhythmias. Verapamil inhibits voltage-dependent calcium channels. Specifically, its effect on L-type calcium channels in the heart causes a reduction in ionotropy and chronotropy, thuis reducing heart rate and blood pressure. Verapamil's mechanism of effect in cluster headache is thought to be linked to its calcium-channel blocker effect, but which channel subtypes are involved is presently not known.

Monatepil is a calcium antagonist that, as do existing calcium antagonists, inhibits the influx of extracellular Ca 2 + through voltage-dependent Ca 2 + channels. It is a new type of antihypertensive agent. Its unique chemical structure was specially designed with intrinsic calcium antagonist and a1 -adrenoceptor-blocking moieties, creating a dual mechanism of action. Positive effects on plasma lipid metabolism are derived from the a1 -adrenoceptor-blocking activity and the antiatherosclerotic effect derives from the calcium antagonist properties. The novel structure of monatepil produces a slow onset of action and a long-lasting antihypertensive effect in experimental animals.

Telupidine (GR53992B), a dihydropyridine derivative is a calcium channel blocker. This is an antihypertensive and cardiovascular agent. Information about the current use of this compound is not available.

Diproteverine is a calcium channel blocking agent. Diproteverine provoked a dose-dependent inhibition of LHRH-stimulated luteinizing hormone release. Diproteverine does not modify mean blood pressure. Diproteverine administered with and without pharmacologic autonomic blockade in the conscious dog causes dose-related depressant effects on sinus node function and atrioventricular conduction without producing significant vasodilatation. Diproteverine caused a redistribution of the available coronary blood flow, to the benefit of an ischemic area of the myocardium. The combination of the reduction in heart rate, to lower cardiac oxygen demand, with the beneficial action on coronary blood flow should result in diproteverinebeing particularly beneficial for the treatment of angina pectoris.

Tiapamil (also known as Ro 11-1781) is a dithiane derivative patented by Hoffmann-La Roche, F., und Co., A.-G. as calcium-channel antagonist useful for myocardial infarction treatment. Tiapamil, like verapamil, inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner Ca2+-induced contractions in isolated, K+-depolarized preparations of rat renal artery, dog coronary artery and rabbit main pulmonary artery. The inhibitory effects of Tiapamil can be overcome by raising the Ca2+ concentration of the bath fluid. In the rabbit main pulmonary artery, Tiapamil reduces 45Ca influx into the K+-depolarized vascular smooth muscle cells. Tiapamil inhibits the slow potentials in partially depolarized guinea-pig papillary muscles. Tiapamil decreases contractile force in isolated guinea-pig atria and papillary muscles, as well as in isolated cat hearts. Tiapamil also reduces heart rate and increases coronary flow in these preparations. Tiapamil doubled coronary artery blood flow in the coronary sinus blood without producing major changes in blood pressure and heart rate in anesthetized dogs. Tiapamil did not affect contractions of isolated guinea-pig ileum, rat stomach strips or rat vas deferens in response to various stimulants. Tiapamil have no major effects on renal water and electrolyte excretion, on autonomic nerves and receptors, on pain perception and on the central nervous system. Acute, subacute, and chronic toxicity studies demonstrate low toxicity for Tiapamil with no tendency for accumulation. In clinical trials, Tiapamil effectively lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure, but have no effects on heart rate